The Role of Training in Security

Let me ask you something, when you taught your kid how to cross the street, did you show them a video and walk away? No. You took them by the hand. You practiced with them. You watched. You corrected. Why? Because it’s not about checking a box. It’s about keeping them alive. Security awareness is the same. It’s a tool, not a magic fix. If you don’t actually put in the effort to build a culture, don’t blame the tool for your laziness. You’re dealing with humans, not endpoints. You can’t patch a person. You want results? Then show up. Talk to your team. Share stories. Make it safe to admit mistakes. Don’t shame - coach. Don’t just say “don’t click,” because someone eventually will. The question is: Did you plan for that moment? Do your people know what to do after the mistake? Do they feel safe enough to raise their hand and say, “I think I messed up”? And when they get it right, celebrate that! Reinforce the wins, not just the failures. Security culture isn’t built in a day. It’s built in the small moments, the check-ins, the feedback, the stories that stick. And yeah, tools help. But they don’t replace you. So before you throw shade at the training program, ask yourself: Did I lead? Did I invest? Did I make this real for my people? Because this can work - with or without a tool. The tool just makes it easier. Let’s stop blaming and start building WIZER :)

I saw a CISO deal with a situation where his team fell for a basic phishing attack. The annual training clearly wasn’t effective. Traditional security training is like bringing a knife to a gunfight these days. Threats evolve daily while your annual program sits collecting dust on a shelf. What worked in January might leave you fatally exposed by March without constant updates. Attackers don't wait for your yearly refresh to develop new sophisticated methods. The answer isn't more training - it's continuous, adaptive training that evolves with the threat landscape. Five-minute microlearning modules delivered weekly create lasting behavioral change that sticks with people. Your highest-risk employees need customized content delivered with greater frequency and specificity than others. AI now creates personalized learning journeys based on role, behavior patterns, and risk profile. The best platforms learn from every interaction, getting smarter alongside the threats they defend against. Security readiness requires constant reinforcement, not a once-yearly information dump followed by forgetfulness. The question isn't whether you can afford continuous cybersecurity training for your organization. It's whether you can afford not to implement it immediately.

Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue—it's everyone's responsibility. Here are the best practices for training your employees to stay secure: 🔸 Start with the Basics Ensure all employees understand common threats like phishing, malware, and social engineering. 🔸Make Training Ongoing Cyber threats evolve, so should your training. Regular sessions keep employees updated on the latest risks. 🔸Use Real-World Scenarios Simulate phishing attacks and other threats. Practical exercises help employees recognize dangers in real-time. 🔸Tailor Training to Roles Different departments face different risks. Customize training for each role to make it relevant. 🔸Foster a Security-First Culture Encourage employees to report suspicious activities and promote a culture where security is prioritized. 🔸Test and Reinforce Knowledge Conduct periodic tests to assess knowledge retention and reinforce key lessons. Investing in employee training is key to building a human firewall. Strong defenses start with well-informed teams!

Why aren't we treating cybersecurity with the urgency of a fire drill in our organizations? In many schools and workplaces, regular drills prepare us for potential fires—so why is cybersecurity often left to chance until an actual fire happens? As CEOs, leaders, and educators, we have a critical role in shaping a secure future. Cyber threats evolve daily, becoming more sophisticated and harder to predict. Yet, the conventional approach to cybersecurity training remains largely unchanged: periodic, passive seminars that fail to engage or inspire. Imagine transforming this landscape through game-based learning platforms that not just educate but immerse users in real-world scenarios. Let's champion a shift towards proactive cyber defense training. By incorporating engaging, interactive elements into our training programs, we can significantly improve retention rates and reaction times during actual attacks. Investing in innovative solutions today prepares our organizations for the uncertainties of tomorrow. Let's make cybersecurity drills as common—and as critical—as those for fire safety. The question isn’t if we can afford to innovate our approach to cybersecurity training; it’s whether we can afford not to.

Friendly Reminder : 🚨Awareness Training is Not Enough!🚨 Many companies invest heavily in cybersecurity awareness training, but if the organizational culture doesn't prioritize security or provide continuous education, these efforts may fall short. Cybersecurity isn't just about checking a box. It's about embedding security into the very fabric of our organizational culture. When security becomes a core value, it influences every decision, behavior, and practice within the company. 🔒 Key Points to Consider: 1. Beyond Training Sessions: Awareness training shouldn't be a one-time event. It requires continuous education and engagement to keep employees vigilant and informed about evolving threats. 2. Culture is Key: A strong security culture means that every employee, from the C-suite to the entry-level, understands the importance of cybersecurity and acts accordingly. It’s about creating an environment where security is everyone’s responsibility. 3. Practical Application: Employees should not only learn about cybersecurity in theory but also practice it in their daily activities. Real-world scenarios and hands-on experiences can reinforce the training material. 4. Leadership Involvement: Leadership must champion cybersecurity initiatives and lead by example. When leaders prioritize security, it sets a precedent for the rest of the organization. 5. Ongoing Communication: Keep the conversation about cybersecurity alive. Regular updates, reminders, and open discussions can help maintain a high level of awareness and preparedness. Let’s move beyond the checkbox mentality and build a robust cybersecurity culture that truly protects our organizations. What are your thoughts? How do you integrate cybersecurity into your company’s culture? Share your experiences and let’s discuss how we can enhance our training programs to be more effective! #Cybersecurity #AwarenessTraining #CyberCulture #SecurityFirst #ContinuousEducation #LinkedInCommunity #cybersecurityawareness

Cybersecurity isn’t just a tech conversation anymore. It’s a business resilience strategy. Over the years, I’ve seen that the strongest security programs don’t start with software. They start with people who understand risk and know how to respond. • Regular, role-specific training helps teams avoid mistakes that lead to real financial and operational damage. • Phishing simulations and ongoing awareness programs reduce business disruption and build a proactive security culture. When employees are prepared, businesses run safer, smoother, and with more confidence. It’s not just about stopping threats. It’s about enabling growth without fear. #CyberSecurity #Leadership #SecurityAwareness #HumanRisk #EmployeeTraining #BusinessContinuity #IncidentPrevention #Infosec #SMBsecurity #DigitalTrust #CyberResilience

Workplace safety is a cornerstone of any thriving organization. Yet, the task of detecting and addressing threats can often feel daunting. By focusing on proactive strategies and leveraging organizational strengths, security teams can effectively mitigate risks and foster a safer work environment. Here’s a foundational guide to understanding and improving threat detection.  1. People Are Your Greatest Asset  Employees are the eyes and ears of any organization, and no security team—no matter how skilled—can match the size, scope, and reach of the workforce. Educating employees on what to look for and how to report concerns is essential for threat detection.  2. Many Acts of Workplace Violence Are Preventable Workplace violence rarely happens without warning. Most perpetrators follow a common pathway of escalating behaviors that, if recognized early, can signal an impending threat. These pathway behaviors often include:  - Expressing grievances or fixations on a specific person or issue.   - Increased aggression, hostility, or confrontational behavior.   - Social withdrawal or significant changes in personality.   - Direct or indirect threats, whether verbal or written.  By training employees and security teams to recognize these behaviors, organizations can intervene before violence occurs. Early detection saves lives.  3. Destigmatizing Conversations About "Personal" Issues Personal struggles can have a profound impact on workplace safety, and security teams play a critical role in bringing these issues to light. Challenges such as domestic violence, substance abuse, or a sudden change in personal appearance or performance are often viewed as private matters—but when they affect workplace safety, they require attention.  4. Don’t Wait Until Something Terrible Happens  Proactivity is not optional when it comes to workplace safety. Acts of violence are not only foreseeable—they’re explicitly recognized as workplace hazards by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).   Security professionals have a **duty of care obligation** to detect and respond to threats before they escalate. By leveraging the collective power of the workforce, recognizing early warning signs, destigmatizing critical conversations, and acting proactively, organizations can build a safer and more resilient workplace.  What do you think?

Maybe it’s my age, but I have grown tired of organizations that proclaim their dedication to safety and yet they have no desire to put in place a formal and measurable SAFETY PROCESS/SMS that INVOLVES the men and women we work to protect. It is not rocket science, it is the most basic and PROVEN model to reduce risks to the men and women doing the dirty and dangerous work… 1) Hazard Identification - establish standards for the physical workplace. OSHA is a great starting point. TRAIN personnel at ALL levels of the organization to be able to IDENTIFY deviations from those standards (e.g. hazards) and BEGIN LOOKING for these deviations. 2) Analyze those Hazards using a recognized methodology. In most workplaces, a JSA/JHA can be a great starting point. But TRAIN those who will be facilitating these hazard analyzes to ensure a level of quality that will drive excellence. 3) Assess the Risk those hazards pose to the workforce, the business, and the environment. This will put the risks into perspective so we can allocate resources where they are most needed. But again, TRAIN those who will be facilitating the risk assessments to ensure a level of quality that will paint an accurate picture of the risks. 4) Mitigate the risk down to an acceptable level - we use the Hierarchy of Controls when doing this. TRAIN those who will be formulating, managing and implementing the corrective action plans (CAPS) that come from this process so as to ensure timely resolutions of REAL management system fixes related to the hazards and risks identified. Rinse and Repeat with as many workers as possible… this is the path to World-Class Safety.

Headline: Security Officer shot and killed on duty at McDonalds in Baltimore. It is all about RISK, what can you as an owner or a manager do? Improving officer safety is crucial for ensuring the well-being of security personnel. Here are some key strategies to enhance safety for both armed and unarmed officers: Training and Education Comprehensive Training: Regular and thorough training on situational awareness, conflict de-escalation, and defensive tactics. Use of Force Training: Ensuring officers are well-versed in the appropriate use of force and alternatives to lethal force. Equipment and Technology Body Armor: Providing high-quality body armor and ensuring officers wear it at all times. Communication Devices: Equipping officers with reliable communication devices to stay connected with their team and dispatch. Surveillance Technology: Utilizing surveillance cameras and other monitoring technologies to enhance situational awareness. Policies and Procedures Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Developing and enforcing clear SOPs for various scenarios, including high-risk situations. Regular Drills: Conducting regular drills and simulations to prepare officers for emergencies. Mental and Physical Health Wellness Programs: Implementing wellness programs that address both physical and mental health, including stress management and counseling services1. Fitness Requirements: Maintaining physical fitness standards to ensure officers are in good shape to handle physical confrontations. Community Engagement Building Trust: Engaging with the community to build trust and cooperation, which can reduce hostility and improve safety2. Procedural Justice: Treating individuals with respect and fairness to foster positive interactions and reduce conflicts2. Tactical Measures Situational Awareness: Training officers to maintain high levels of situational awareness and to use Cooper’s color code for assessing threats3. Backup Protocols: Ensuring that officers have backup and support during high-risk operations. Continuous Improvement Feedback Mechanisms: Establishing mechanisms for officers to provide feedback on safety concerns and suggestions for improvement. Ongoing Education: Keeping officers updated on the latest safety techniques and technologies through continuous education programs. Implementing these strategies can significantly enhance the safety of security officers and help them perform their duties more effectively. How many of these points are you following for your officer's safety?

Another sad incident has occurred involving a Hawaii security guard. For security industry workers, the environments they work in are becoming more dangerous as face to face encounters while enforcing rules and responding to complaints present greater risk for aggressive threatening behaviors and physical assault. The key to staying safe is training! There should be basic foundational security training provided by security employers and guard agencies before a security employee is ever assigned work that specifically addresses how they can keep safe and appropriately protect themselves. I'm not just talking about on-the-job training, but real meaningful training that focuses on situational awareness, de-escalation, managing aggressive behaviors, protective strategies involving defensive positioning, disengagement and physical protective movements. The sad reality is that this type of training is rarely offered by security employers and guard agencies. Within the last few years, we have had two industry security officers and one resident manager dealing with aggressive and assaultive people die while attempting to perform their duty. Security employers and guard agencies need to make investments in their workforces by providing professional expertise training that can make a difference and keep employees safe. This is an employer's responsibility! PEACE AND SAFETY THROUGH KNOWLEDGE AND PREPARATION